The capsule returns with nearly 2,700 pounds of science experiments and equipment no longer needed aboard the station.

With the retirement of NASA’s space shuttle fleet, the SpaceX Dragon capsules are the only way to return large amounts of cargo from the outpost, a $100 billion project of 15 nations.

SpaceX’s next cargo run is slated for September.

NASA also has hired a second company, Orbital Sciences Corp., for station resupply missions. Orbital plans to test-launch its new Antares rocket as early as April 16 from a new launch pad on Wallops Island, Virginia.

Image: The view from a SpaceX recovery ship of the Dragon’s parachutes. Credit: SpaceX